Jockey Pietro Moran, 20, would make history one way or another in the $1 million King’s Plate Aug. 16 at Woodbine as he joined his father, David, as the first-ever father-son duo to ride in the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown.

Pietro not only outdueled his father in the race, he surged clear in the stretch under Mansetti to win by 2 ½ lengths and become the third-youngest jockey to win the King’s Plate in the “modern era” of the race. At 20 years and 97 days, Pietro Moran became the youngest victor in nearly half a century since Jeffrey Fell won the 1976 edition aboard Norcliffe at 20 years and six days.

Pietro and David Moran before the King's Plate. (Woodbine/Michael Burns photo)

Only David Stevenson (19 years, 319 days) in 1956 aboard Canadian Champ was a younger King’s Plate winner than Moran and Fell in the modern era of the race.

Pietro’s father, David, is from Templemore, Ireland. He won the 2010 Woodbine Oaks on Roan Inish and moved his tack to Woodbine full-time in 2011. The Morans made the move to Canada when Pietro was age 6 and he has always dreamed of being a jockey.

“My brothers and I used to do races on the street all the time and we had our own silks. I used to be the organizer of the races, and we got old silks from Woodbine,” Pietro said before the 2025 King’s Plate. “The ones I had are orange with a blue circle, with an orange ‘P’ in the middle, with orange and blue sleeves.”

Pietro Moran’s professional career began at the age of 18 in 2023. He won 62 races in 2024 en route to being named a finalist for the Sovereign Award nomination as Canada’s top apprentice jockey, which was won by Sofia Vives. Pietro’s 2024 season was cut short when he was injured in a spill in September, but he’s emerged in 2025 as a true rising star as the leading rider in the Woodbine standings with 68 wins through Aug. 18.

His ascent was punctuated with a victory at 18.35-1 odds on Mansetti in the King’s Plate.

“He’s the second of my nine [children],” said Moran’s mother, Maria, after watching her son win the biggest race of his career, less than one year after being sidelined by injury. “So, it’s just wonderful. I don’t know how to express it, but yes, all the sacrifices and all the hard work … they’re so tough, they just keep going.”

Mansetti is trained by Kevin Attard for owners Al and Bill Ulwelling, also a son-father tandem. Bill Ulwelling collapsed on the track apron after Mansetti’s win from a heart attack, but his pacemaker saved his life and he was released from the hospital the same night.

Pietro Moran guiding Mansetti to a King's Plate victory. (Woodbine/Michael Burns photo)

Pietro Moran gave Mansetti a veteran ride in the King’s Plate, showing poise beyond his years.  The duo led the King’s Plate through a half-mile in :47.45 and Moran had him a length in front after three-quarters of a mile. When they reached the top of the stretch, Mansetti had plenty of fuel in reserve.

“You know, he relaxed so good. And no one wanted the lead, really. And he got up there, and, man, he relaxed, and I just talked to him the whole way,” Pietro said. “And when I chirped at him around the turn, he gave it to me. And I knew – I took a peek back down the lane – and I saw no one was coming. I couldn’t stop screaming to the wire.”

Pietro’s brother Will was the outrider who escorted him back to the winner’s circle; proud papa David finished eighth aboard William T. Talk about a day to remember for the Moran family.